G7 Targets Critical Mineral Security Amid China Supply Risks

G7 leaders have tentatively agreed on a joint strategy to safeguard critical mineral supply chains and strengthen economic resilience, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters. The plan, still awaiting final approval from U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizes the need for mineral markets to reflect the true environmental and social costs of extraction, processing, and trade.

The move follows China's April decision to suspend exports of numerous critical minerals and magnets, triggering global supply disruptions for industries ranging from electric vehicles to semiconductors and defense. Although President Trump recently stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to resume rare earth exports to the U.S., critical minerals remain a key leverage point for Beijing.

The G7 draft highlights the risks posed by non-market practices in the critical minerals sector, warning that such tactics jeopardize access to essential resources. In response, G7 nations pledged to collaborate—both internally and with global partners—to ensure stable and secure supply chains for minerals vital to modern economies and national security.

Key initiatives include anticipating shortages, enhancing coordination against market manipulation, and boosting diversification in mining, refining, manufacturing, and recycling operations. The goal is to reduce dependency on single suppliers and improve resilience against geopolitical disruptions.

By reinforcing supply chain transparency and promoting sustainable sourcing, G7 countries aim to establish a more secure foundation for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, and defense capabilities. The agreement, once finalized, could mark a major step toward reducing the West's reliance on China for critical raw materials essential to the global tech and defense sectors.